Name
Charles Thomas Ridgeway
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Worcestershire Regiment
3rd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Charles Ridgeway was born in the winter of 1895 at Abbots Langley. He was one of nine children (three sons and six daughters) born to Charles (senior) and Sarah Ridgeway. His brother George also served in the Great War. At the time of the 1891 Census the family lived at 27 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley. Charles (senior) worked as a General Labourer. The family continued to live at the same address in Breakspeare Road. In the 1901 Census Charles (senior) was listed working as a Brick-layer’s Labourer, and in the 1911 Census he was recorded working as a Brick-layer. By 1911 Charles (junior) was working and was listed in the Census as a Gardener Domestic.
Charles (junior) was listed in the Langleybury Roll of Honour which was published in the Hertfordshire Advertiser newspaper on 17th October 1914, where it was indicated that he was serving with Kitchener’s Army. When he joined the Army Charles was employed as an Attendant at the Leavesden Asylum.
The Abbots Langley Parish Magazine Roll of Honour first recorded Charles (junior) in November 1914, serving with the 4th Bedfordshire’s. His Medal Roll Index Card noted that he went to France on 27th April 1915 and was probably serving with the 2nd Bedfordshire’s at the time. The 4th Bedfordshire’s did not leave for France until 1916, and the Parish Magazine recorded that Charles was serving with the 2nd Bedfordshire’s in its June 1915 edition.
By December 1915 the Parish Magazine reported that Charles had transferred to the 5th Bedfordshire’s, and a month later in January 1916 he was recorded serving with the 1st Bedfordshire’s. In January 1916 the 1st Bedfordshire’s were in trenches on the Somme. The Langleybury Parish Magazine recorded that Charles was serving with the 1st Bedford’s in June 1916. He was again listed in the Langleybury Parish Magazine in February 1917.
At some point in 1917 Charles was sent for Officer Training and in the Abbots Langley Parish Magazine of January 1918 he was recorded serving with the Officer Training Corps. Later in 1918 the Magazine noted that Charles had been “mentioned in Despatches”.
Charles was listed in the Absent Voter Records for Autumn 1918, Spring 1919 and Autumn 1919. In each list he was recorded serving with the 3rd Worcester’s, and he gave an address at 27 Breakspeare Road, Abbots Langley. He was also listed in the Langleybury Roll of Honour, where his name was spelt “Ridgway”.
Charles Ridgeway survived the War, as did his brother George. However George was Discharged Wounded in June 1918, having been wounded during the 1st Hertfordshire’s disastrous attack on the Langemark Line on 31st July 1917. His brother-in-law Harry Chandler, who had married his sister Alice, survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 1st 2nd 4th & 5th Battalions Bedfordshire Regiment
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
